Monday, 31 July 2006

The Parslow family of Kingston upon Thames appears in my family history. Ebay have a very nifty facility where it will send you an email when something of a given name is listed. The photos of this wonderful Banjo appeared on Ebay recently. This banjo was handmade at the end of the 19th Century by James Parslow 1850-1920.

There are other photos on my Flickr album, including one of the stamp from shop in Hammersmith where this Banjo was sold. By looking at a trade directory for London to see when this shop was trading we can get an idea of when it was sold.

Tuesday, 18 July 2006

This book, I found to be a beautifully written, thought provoking and inspiring book. The family "story" has been told in such a way that I felt as though I was walking along side the author, as the book was bought to life with memories of relatives, photographs and further research. I especially liked that the footnotes appeared on the pages they pertained to.

I was intrigued by the details of Robert McSorley. Each individual has been wonderfully bought to life and the author's proudness of her relatives shines through. There is a sense of closure with the book in chapter 9, as the book draws to a close. I found the handwriting analysis of interest and it was a nice touch to such a book.

There is something rather special in seeing not only the name of an ancestor in print in an original document, but also on seeing a sample of their writing. I notices throughout the book that the author mentions that she has inherited items from her family home, the chair with some varnish marks missing, and the bucket of nails. They don't sound much, but there is something special, a kind of pull that makes you hold onto items from the family home. Even the incidental items. We all have our own bucket of nails that we treasure. In my case one of my most treasures items is an armchair, now residing in my study. It was my grandmother's and bears the marks on the end of the arms, where she would hold onto, to enable her to get up.

There is much in the book that reflects many issues of any immigrant family or individual. I have a particular interest, not only in genealogy, but also in my Italian ancestry. Although my own Italian line, didn't leave Sicily for England until the 1950s, a branch did leave the rural community of Sutera in Sicily and migrated to the US in the early 1900s. The hardship, heartache and courage of previous generations should be forgotten and this book echo's those sentiments.

I had been looking forward to reading this book since I signed up for the book ring. In the meanwhile, I located the author's web page. The book didn't disappoint. Without Book Crossing I would not have come across this book, so thanks, not only go to the author, for a great book,clearly written from the heart and making it to my top 10 for the year. They also go to Book Crossing and the Book Crosser that shared the book. I'm going to order one for my permanent collection.

The Book Crossing Journal Entries are HEREThe author's web page is HERE

Saturday, 15 July 2006

Part of my New Years resolutions was to have a good clear out. Last weekend I wizzed through the kitchen cupboards and bunged a load on FreeCycle. Today it was the bottom of the wardrobe and a pile of shoes. Do you know that I had shoes that I bought 16 years ago.....Mum was here, and was giving me a hand, and was horrified that I was going to place a pair of shoes bought from Clarks in Guildford to take to Oz with me in 1991 back in the wardrobe. I only saw sense when Mum said "they are so old the leather has gone hard...you couldn't possibly wear them" Mum, you were right, and about those Reeboks that I also bought to go to Oz with, in the same year. I only stopped wearing those a few years ago when I did manage to buy an identical pair......I really am a creature of habit!

Monday, 10 July 2006

I have 7 address books. I have a wonderfully fading address book purchased from Liberty in 1988, I know the date as I date everything....it must be the historian in me! I had to find the address of some friends. Its their wedding anniversary on 11th and I needed to get their card in the post, but which address book. I eventually found their new address in the back of 2005's diary. Talk about disorganised. I rang Liberty, Do you still make the address books covered with Librerty print with leather corners I asked? No, was the reply. Drat! Mmm, I liked my faded address book, which has travelled around the world we me, been to Kenya where I got married, but its looking a little sad, faded and exhausted. No, I do need a replacement. After much deliberation I've opted for a nice leather one made by Ciak in Florence.

Saturday, 8 July 2006

I've upgraded my Live Journal and all the bits that I found clunky and irritating have become easier to use, such as inserting and uploading pictures. I've customised it to look like Blog, and it feels much better!I'm still going to use blog, as I like the "Blog this" facility on web pages.

oohhh, 18 out of 100! Some of these though I read as long ago as myO-levels, and some are loitering on my enormous TBR pile! I am notgoing to attempt a read challenge as simply lots of the books do notappeal to me!

Monday, 3 July 2006

After an exhausting and very hot Saturday, those of us that stayed over met up in the hotel reception and went on a release walk. One via the Canal and one via the City centre. We opted for the canal walk, which was lovely and released lots of books. Pete, (Skyring) released one, well wrapped into the canal. I released one on to the roundabout situated along the canal.

After lunch at the Gourmet Burger Company we had a wander around the city, but it was so hot! In Victoria Square there was an open air concert & salsa dancing as part of the Latin America Festival, where Stuart could not be tempted to Salsa!

In the evening the last 8 of us headed off to Pizza Express for a delicious meal.

Saturday, 1 July 2006

The UnConvention was held next door to the Apres Bar, at the Mechu Louge. It was nice, spacious, but incrediably hot, and also a little dark. In fact, I don't recall a time I have ever felt so hot, as when I carried the goody bag inserts from weeblys car upto the lounge.......

The day was great, it has taken the best part of a year to plan this and the four of us on the committee, Vikki, Liz, Michelle and myself, had not been in the same room together until the day of the UnConvention. Three cheers to the internet and email!

There was the two author talks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, the tomola, raffle and a much chattering and swapping of books. It was a lovely day. I won two things on the tombola and was presented with a bottle of Champagne for helping to organise the UnCon.

The NSS pressies were exchanged. I had done two for the UnConvention , and Stuart had done one. I also did one for the BCUK mailing list NSSSS pressie. I am blown away, by the generosity and thought that everyone has shown me via their presents. I love these NSS pressies, I love the thinking of what to buy my recipiant and shopping for the items. Its a way of giving something back to something that gives us lots of pleasure......the world of Book Crossing is more than books, it is a whole community and is one of the most friendly.

In the evening, after all the packing up was done and we were suitably refreshed andrested, a group of us headed off for a meal at the Big Wok

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About Me

I am a Surrey girl, who is very proud of her roots, which go back almost 300 years in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. I currently live in the West Country of England, but Surrey is always home! I am also half Italian and thus have an interest in Italian culture and genealogy.

After a career in pharmacy management spanning more than 20 years, I made the decision to look at my options as to where my professional life was heading. I wanted to expand my work portfolio within the training and writing arena; to utilise my historical and research skills along with other qualifications and years of experience. I created The Book of Me, Written by You back in the Autumn of 2012. It threads together the focus of my interests and qualifications. Enabling me to encourage others to think beyond the obvious as we analyse our own lives and those of our close family members.

Copyright

The material, both written and photographic on these pages is the copyright of Julie Goucher & Anglers Rest unless stated. Material on this site may be used for personal reference only. If you wish to use any of the material on this site for other means, please seek the written permission of Julie Goucher & Anglers Rest.